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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. \ 

Chap. .QTF.tl.^ 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. $ 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE 



OBITUARY ADDRESSES 



OCCASION OF THE DEATH 



HON. HENKY S. TAYLOE, 



(A senator from the eighth district,) 







PENNSYLVANIA. <l~v^** «**, 






HARRISBURG, PA. : 

E. K. MYERS STATE PRINTER. 

1889. 



. 




4> 



* 



RESOL UTION. 



In the Senate, April 25, 1889. 
Resolved (if the House of Representatives concur), That two 
thousand copies of the resolution and proceedings thereon in the 
Senate in reference to the death of Hon. Henry S. Tayl.or, late a 
member of the Senate from the Eighth senatorial district, be printed 
and bound in cloth ; one thousand for the use of the Senate, and 
one thousand for the use of the House. 
Extract from the Journal of the Senate. 

RUSSELL ERRETT, 
Chief Clerk. 

In the House of Representatives, 

April 26, 1889. 
The foregoing resolution concurred in. 

JOHN W. MORRISON, 

Chief Clerk. 
Approved— The 3d day of May, A. D. 1889. 

JAMES A. BEAVER. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE 



ON THE DEATH OF 



HENRY S. TAYLOR, 



In the Senate, 
Wednesday, March 13, 1889. 
On motion of Mr. Macfarlajse, 
The following resolution was twice read, considered 
and agreed to, viz : 

Resolved, That the Senate set apart Wednesday, 
March 20th, at 3 o'clock p. m.. to take proper action upon 
the death of the late Senator Henry S. Taylor, of the 
Eighth senatorial district. 



OBITUARY ADDRESSES AND RESOLUTIONS. 



In the Senate, 
Wednesday, March 20. 1889. 

The Senate convened at 3 o'clock p. m., Lieutenant 
Governor Davies, President of the Senate, in the chair. 

The Chaplain, Reverend Doctor T. T. Everett, offered 
the following prayer : 

Lord, our Heavenly Father, we adore Thee as the 
Immortal Invisible and only wise God who art clothed 
with honor and with majesty. We approach Thee with 
reverence and godly fear, while our hearts lie open 
before Thee in gratitude for all Thy loving kindness 
and tender mercy ; for life and health ; for home and 
friends ; for civil and religious liberty, and for the pros- 
perity and peace within our borders. 

Still we come to Thee to-day under a cloud that casts 
its shadow on every man's pathway. As in the autumn 
time the very earth prepares for death and all the sober 
colors of the summer take higher, brighter hues, and 
the trees, and shrubs, and vines go forth to their rest, 
ending their career more brightly than they began, so 
may we all come before Thee ripe in manhood, ripe in 
truth and in hope. 

To day is brought to our memory the departure of one 



8 Obituary Addresses. 



who carried with him the sincere admiration and pro- 
found regard of his fellows. Upon the threshold of his 
usefulness Thou didst lay him to the dust. To-day he 
is in the mysterious world beyond, and now, O God, 
those who were his associates and peers will gather up 
the tender memories of his young and gentle life to lay 
at the door of his immortal resting place. 

We tenderly commend to Thee the lonely heart that 
mourns for him in the still darkened home. After life's 
short fitful fever he sleeps well. His excellency of 
mind and goodness of heart will remain as a pleasant 

memory among his fellowmen. 

Lord, overshadow this Senatorial body with Thy pro- 
tection. Crown each one with Thy favor; let Thy 
tender care surround our State and nation. Guard and 
keep Thy people whom Thou has seen fit to raise up 
and crown with honor and glory. Crown all the earth 
with Thy glory, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 

Mr. Penrose. Mr. President, at the request of the 
chairman of the committee, who is absent in Philadel- 
phia, I offer the following resolutions : 

The resolutions were read as follows : 

Resolved, That the Senate of Pennsylvania deeply 
regret the death of Honorable Henry S. Taylor, late a 
member of this body, and extend to the family of the 
deceased Senator sincere condolence in their bereave- 
ment. 

Resolved, That the public service of Henry S. Taylor 



Hon. Henry S. Taylor. 9 

was marked by industry, patience and fidelity to his 
convictions of duty. 

Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit to 
the family of the deceased a copy of these resolutions 
with the action of the Senate thereon. 

ADDRESS OF:MR. PENROSE, OF PHILADELPHIA. 

Mr. President, in offering these resolutions I desire 
to have the attention of the Senate for a few moments. 

Henry S. Taylor was born in 18*>9, at Schuylkill 
Haven, in the county of Schuylkill. At an early age 
he removed to the city of Philadelphia with his parents, 
and for a few years attended the common schools in 
that city. His family being in reduced circumstances, he 
was early compelled to struggle for himself and to battle 
with the world ; and by his own exertions he was, in 
course of time, enabled to accumulate enough money 
to enter the law department of the University of Penn- 
sylvania, and graduated from that institution in 1880. 
At the same time he read law with Mr. Shields, one of 
the leading lawyers of Philadelphia, and retained his 
connection with that office until his death. 

Senator Taylor had few of the early advantages 
common to many young men in youth. He had few 
advantages of education, and when still in tender years, 
when most boys have all the restraints of home and 
the benefits of education, he was forced into the 
world to engage in the bitter struggle for existence. 
Throughout his career he was distinguished by his in- 



10 Obituary Addresses. 



dustry, activity and intelligence, and what he lacked 
in opportunity he made up in his untiring industry. In 
his profession, where competition is great, and where 
the highest qualities of tact and judgment are required 
to succeed, he had already acquired a considerable de- 
gree of success, and was able to support himself and 
family entirely by his own efforts, when many lawyers 
of his age can scarcely pay their office rent. In politics 
he won the same distinction. His district was one of 
the largest senatorial districts in the State, and perhaps 
required a greater degree of hard work to serve his 
constituents than any other in the State. His political 
career was characterized by two qualities which we all 
must have observed. One was his simplicity of character. 
Notwithstanding the brilliant success which he had met 
at an age when most young men are scarcely out of 
their leading strings, he did not for a moment lose this 
element of simplicity of character which to my mind is 
one of the strongest proofs of a sterling character in all 
respects. 

The other element which I have in mind was his 
fidelity to his friends. His friendship was a bulwark 
which nothing could beat down. His word once passed, 
he could always be counted upon, not only to take a 
stand, but to make a fight. Those two qualities would 
have assured him a most brilliant career in politics, and 
his industry and ability at the bar would have assured 
an equally brilliant career in his profession. 

But, Mr. President, he was cut down before he had 



Hon. Henry S. Taylor. 11 

an opportunity to enter fairly upon his career, before 
he had an opportunity to acquire that stability of char- 
acter, that even balance of ideas, that faculty of taking 
in the right proportions, which only comes from long 
experience ; and what mistakes he may have made or 
what he may have done to be criticised is now forgotten 
and we only remember his good character, and regret 
a brilliant career cut short. 

ADDRESS OF MR. WATRES, OF LACKAWANNA. 

Mr. President, the grim messenger has indeed been 
busy in this body. Since 1883 we have had taken 
from among us the true friend and venerable Senator, 
Mr. Patton ; the brilliant and youthful Senator 
Kennedy; the wise legislator from Allegheny, Mr. 
McNeill, and now the young Senator from Phila- 
delphia, Henry S. Taylor. Thus again are we re- 
minded that death is no respecter of persons and that 
we are all going on in the same grand unending pro- 
cession, and that we, like all of them, must go alone, 
and yet not alone. " If a man die shall he live again ? 
He shall live, saith the Lord," and instead of death it 
is but the beginning of a new existence of which our 
life of threescore years on earth is but the childhood. 
My knowledge and my association with Senator Tay- 
lor were confined to the Senate chamber and the com- 
mittee room. There and here I always found him a 
man of genial disposition, bold, brave, open and frank ; 
a true friend, always with the courage of his convic- 



12 Obituary Addresses. 



tions. By these characteristics he won my confidence 
and my esteem, and the confidence and esteem of every 
Senator upon this floor. 

One who is now with the Master was once asked by 
a friend, whom he had not seen for weeks, what he had 
been doing. He replied: "Trying to live up to my 
purpose." There is a far better purpose than this, and 
it is to so live and to so work and so overcome the sins 
that deceive and the passions that blind and the am- 
bitions that corrode the very soul ; and when the Great 
Shepherd shall appear we shall receive that " crown of 
glory that fadeth not away." 

ADDRESS OF MR. DELAMATER, OF CRAWFORD. 

Mr. President, it is difficult to solve the problem 
of life and death. Born upon the stage of existence, 
life soon presents itself as a battle. Primarily this 
battle is for existence. It is for health and physi- 
cal growth; afterwards for education and strength, 
mentally and morally. Varying circumstances and di- 
verse surroundings affect the character so that even as 
you look out upon the faces of men and discover no 
two alike, there is an infinite variety in the character 
of mind and soul. 

Many, by reason of adverse circumstances or lack of 
early advantages, are content to go through life with- 
out advancement. Others, like him whose loss we 
mourn, seem inspired to greater endeavors by adverse 
circumstances. Thus, in early youth, our friend began 



Hon. Henry S. Taylor. 13 



the battle of life, and how well he fought that battle is 
shown by the fact that two years ago he appeared 
among us, one of our youngest members. In a great 
city filled with men of wealth and position, he had at- 
tained to this Senate at the age of twenty-eight years. 
To my mind it demonstrates that he had a strong char- 
acter, that he had a will of remarkable force, and had 
exercised much industry. 

Since then his life among us has been an open book. 
Although my own personal relations were not more 
familiar than the majority of Senators, I was attracted 
to him. He was genial and warm-hearted in his every 
day intercourse. He was frank to a fault. He was true 
— when his word was given he kept his pledge. He 
was brave — no matter how loud the clamor or how 
fierce the onslaught, he maintained his position. 

In a few words I have given my estimate of our 
brother. He is gone. No more will his familiar form 
appear among us. It is wise for us to pause a moment 
at his grave, and let us contemplate before we close up 
the ranks, upon the providence of God in His visita- 
tion and let us learn from that contemplation to be 
strong in our manhood, and to derive that strength 
from which we shall do right. Then shall we best 
serve our country, our families and ourselves. 

ADDRESS OF MR. ROSS, OF BUCKS. 

Mr. President, my acquaintance with Senator Tay- 
lor began when he entered this body two years ago , 



14 Obituary Addresses. 



during the session of 1887. His genial disposition and 
his attractive manners soon won for him the popularity 
of which we to-day bear testimony. 

The history of his brief life, which we have just heard 
from the Senator from Philadelphia [Mr. Penrose], shows 
that he was possessed of great vigor of mind and de- 
termination of character. These qualities won for him 
honorable distinction. They won for him the esteem 
and respect of those who knew him, and a position that 
gave promise of a bright future. It seems, sir, that the 
Goddess of Fortune with her rosy-tipped fingers, stood 
beckoning him on to a future, bright, useful and hon- 
orable, but death summoned him. The roll call he 
obeyed as we, too, must do when our names are reached 
upon the list. When the shadows lengthen and the 
day of life grows toward its sunset, death is not an un- 
expected, though generally an unwelcome, visitor, but, 
sir, in the first vigor of youth, when the blood courses 
through the veins, when the charms of family ties, 
when ambition and hope are with us, when death 
comes, then he is a spectre in our midst. I think we 
may well do as has been just suggested by the Senator 
from Crawford. We may well pause at least for a 
moment when an occasion of this kind arises, and, as is 
said in an old ballad, we may say to ourselves : 

" Brothers, God grant when this life is o'er, 
In the life to come we may meet once more." 



Hon. Henry S. Taylor. 15 

ADDRESS OF MR. HARLAN, OF CHESTER. 

Mr. President, it is with a feeling of profound sorrow 

that I rise to join my fellow Senators in paying this 

last tribute of respect to the memory of our deceased 

brother. 
It was my privilege to first meet Senator Taylor at 

the beginning of the session of 1887, and from the first 

day until the close of his life our intercourse was of the 

most cordial and pleasant character. He came into this 

chamber one of the youngest of our number, and by 

his kind and modest demeanor won the respect and 

confidence of all his associates. 

He is not with us to-day. He has gone far hence, 
never to return, and as we stand in this place of sorrow 
and sadness we are reminded of the uncertainty of life, 
and the question comes to us, when will yonder door 
again open and the grim monster enter for another 
victim? It is not known to any one of us, neither do we 
care to know, who that one may be, but the important 
thing for each one of us to know is whether we are so 
living, so acting and so trusting, not in a dead Saviour, 
but in a living, glorified Redeemer, that when the mes- 
senger does come, he may be to us a welcome visitor. 

I am sure that I express the sentiments of every 
Senator upon this floor when I say that our hearts to- 
day are full of sympathy for the bereaved and sorrow- 
ing widow and family of our departed brother. No 
words that we can utter, no sympathy that we can 
tender, will lift the veil of sadness from their home. 



16 Obituary Addresses. 



We can simply point them to the blessed Saviour 
whose love and tenderness is greater than even a 
mother's love, whose sympathy is deeper than the 
depths, and higher than the highest heavens. 

ADDRESS OF MR. SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA. 

Mr. President, permit me to lay a garland upon his 
tomb. 

My first recollection of the deceased Senator was 
when he was quite a lad in the office of his preceptor 
in Philadelphia — Colonel Shields — acquiring the pro- 
fession of law. As he advanced, year by year, I found 
that he was endeavoring to make himself felt in the 
upper districts of Philadelphia and was surrounded by 
friends of all minds and of all political parties. By his 
own efforts he reached the Senate of Pennsylvania two 
years ago, and not long afterward he endeared himself 
to every gentleman who had the pleasure of his ac- 
quaintance. While a Senator he lived a life which 
justified all that was expected of him. No one ever 
thought of any wrong, and I am sure he did not. He 
lived a life that when death came he had no fear. He 
wrapped the mantle of death about him and laid down 
to pleasant dreams, and I have no doubt that we all 
are satisfied from what we knew of him in life that we 
may have no forebodings as to his home in the world 
to come. 



Hon. Henry S. Taylor. 17 



ADDRESS OF MR. METZG-ER, OF LYCOMING. 

Mr. President, it is with somewhat of sadness and 
diffidence that I rise at this time. When the sad 
announcement was made that the stern messenger had 
come and summoned one from among us ; that Sena- 
tor Taylor would not again respond to the call of 
the yeas and nays, it was hard to realize that it could 
be possible that one so young, in the ripeness of his 
youth, in the full vigor of manhood, with so wide and 
useful a career before him, could be so ruthlessly torn 
from us. We knew not whither to turn or where the 
avenger's sword might fall next. 

One of the youngest members of this body, he at 
once showed a richness of experience, an honesty of 
purpose and such a determination to do his duty as 
marked him a useful and valuable member of the Sen- 
ate. Politically a Republican, he never allowed parti- 
sanship to run riot with his sound judgment, but by his 
frank and candid manner he won a place in the esteem 
of all, regardless of party affiliations. 

He was so kind, so strong, yet so gentle and courte- 
ous that I have often felt that it gave him pain when he 
found it his duty to oppose a measure of personal in- 
terest to any of us. 

Always open to honest argument on matters of public 
concern, his conservative and unobtrusive disposition, 
coupled with his high sense of right and justice, en- 
abled him to fulfil his obligations to his constituents 
and to the State in the most satisfactory manner, with 



18 Obituary Addresses. 

his bright attainments in the morning of his career, an 
unbounded future of honor and usefulness seemed be- 
fore him. 

I first met Senator Taylor two years ago on the floor 
of the Senate when we both took the oath of office. 
Though I may not have known him as intimately as 
some, yet my associations with him were always most 
pleasant. He was but two weeks my senior, and from 
this fact probably grew the feeling on my part that in 
him I should always find a true and faithful friend. 

The loss we have sustained is not our loss alone ; it 
is the loss of the entire State and I can but add, and I 
believe I but echo the sentiments of all who knew him, 
that he died too soon — far too soon — his work but just 
begun. 

ADDRESS OF MR. GOBINT, OF LEBANON. 

Mr. President, I have no eulogistic word to add to 
what has been so well said by other Senators in ref- 
erence to the loss which this body has sustained in 
the passing away of one of its members. And yet 
associated as we were during his term in the Senate 
and standing almost in the shadow of the seat occupied 
by him, I would be false to myself and to the best feel- 
ings of nature would I fail to add my testimony to the 
worth of the deceased Senator. 

Those of us who gathered here on the morning when 
over the wires flashed the tidings that one of this body 
who was previously engaged in the full flush of man- 
hood and the vigor of youth had passed away, and was 



Hon. Henry S. Taylor. 19 

no more one of us, felt indeed as we looked to the va- 
cant chair and the desk unoccupied, the truth of the 
Divine saying that " the plow is in the furrow but the 
husbandman is gone." 

Equipped as he was for work, active as he was in the 
prosecution of the interests of his constituents, every- 
thing pointing to a prosperous and happy future, yet 
the work laid out before him was left unfinished, and 
we, who are left, gather around his open grave to give 
testimony of their admiration of his worth and their 
appreciation of him as a Senator and as a man. Death 
in such a form affects a man. It comes as though the 
grim messenger was desirous of teaching us that there 
was something in manhood which required the care and 
admonition of Him who doeth all things well, and when 
he approaches a body of men such as this, associated 
together with but one common task — that of advancing 
the interests of the Commonwealth — and takes away 
one of their number, one whom in the providence of 
God was destined to many years of bright and happy 
life, it was for the purpose of showing that the Great 
Leveller was no respecter of men or conditions, and 
that as He selected one of our number it was with the 
admonition that all were in His power and that sooner 
or later we must all obey the fell demand. In second- 
ing the resolutions offered by the Senator from Phila- 
delphia may we all remember the one now gone who 
was always ready to oblige a friend, aye even to the 
fullest extent of his ability. 



20 Obituary A ddresses. 



On agreeing to the resolutions, the yeas and nays 
were required by Mr. Penrose and Mr. Ross, and were 
as follows, viz : 

Yeas — Messrs. Alexander, Allen, Betts, Brown (Mont- 
gomery), Brown (York), Cooper, Crouse, Dachrodt, 
Delamater, Devlin, Gobin, Green, Harlan, Hines, 
Keefer, Lemon, Lines, McAleer, McCreary, Macfarlane, 
McLain, Martin, Mehard, Metzger, Mylin, Newell, New- 
myer, Packer, Penrose, Reyburn, Robbins, Ross, Rutan, 
Showalter, Sloan, Smith, Stehman, Upperman, Watres, 
Watson, Williamson, Wilson and Woods — 44. 

Nays — None. 

So the question was determined in the affirmative. 

The President. The purpose for which this session 
was called having been accomplished, the Senate stands 
adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 



